I'm not so sure about my wedding dress anymore.

So this isn’t “dress regret” or anything, it’s not a dire emergency… I just am not sure this is really working on me.

I don’t know whether it’s wedding planning fatigue, or just general stress (we have a lot of things going on in the next few months – birthdays, xmas, construction, moving, wedding, showers, etc.), or what… but I tried on my dress yesterday and wasn’t too happy with the way it looked and felt.

The dress isn’t very flattering on me. Or at least I feel like that sometimes. Other times I just love the way it looks on me. But I hate the way it makes my waist look. It makes it look both wide and wrinkle-y, which is frustrating. The wrinkles don’t smooth out – I think I have a short torso so it’s not working right.I tried it on with the petticoat for the first time and it just felt like I was wearing a cheap costume… don’t know if getting the petti was the right choice.

I wanted the shoes so badly, but I feel like they maybe don’t really “go” with the dress… the photos are dark, but the shoes are teal.

I don’t know. Some positive words would be nice. I think I am just very over the whole wedding planning fuss and maybe the dress is fine.But I also wonder if I should really find a more flattering dress.But then I also want to be comfortable, which is why I like my dress – I don’t need help getting into it or anything, and I hate shopping which is going to stress me out way more than I can even realize right now.

Opinions? Suggestions? Advice?

I think I’m having a bad “lately” and trying on my dress REALLY bummed me out.

This is the dress with the petticoat, the shoes, the veil. I’m not wearing makeup and didn’t do my hair or anything.Please ignore the dryer sheet on the floor I don’t know why they pop up all over my bedroom.

This is the dress a few months ago, with different (taller) shoes, no petticoat, a stand-in veil, and I had a nice summer tan so I was in a better mood I guess.

Anyone? I know this dress isn’t most people’s cup of tea (but that’s OK by me), I think I just need a pick-me-up.

I think the dress is beautiful – truly! I don’t like the shoes, though. I like the other pair because you can see the top of your foot. I think slingback is the way to go. I really, really do think the dress is flattering and that you just didn’t feel so smokin’ today (especially if you’re stressed and you didn’t get ready – no one looks good under those circumstances!) and it was reflected by your body language in the pictures!

First off, your posture is killing me in the first photo. I scrolled down and thought, ‘that dress looks much better on that girl’ and then realized it’s YOU! haha. If I were you, I’d get higher heels. I actually love the dress, it’s fun. My issue with the first pair of heels, they make it look costumey like you’re entering a swing dance competition not a bride. I don’t think the veil fits the dress at all, I think that style of dress needs a blusher or a bird cage veil. I think with the right accessories it’d be super glamourous and perfect!

I love your dress on you! It’s very pretty and I think it looks flattering. I never thought I would get dress regret but I did have a couple of days where I would start worrrying I picked the wrong one. It’s a big decision and there are *so* many options it’s really hard not to wonder if there wasn’t something out there that was “better.” Your feelings are completely normal, but in my opinion nothing to worry about because you look fantastic!

@CakeyP: The higher heels (and no strap over your foot) look much better. I don’t like the veil either – would you consider a headpiece? Some sort of glamorous headband? The dress is gorgeous. It suits your body perfectly.

@208bride: Yeah, I think a few people mentioned the shoes aren’t really working and even though I loved them and wanted them so badly, I might be inclined to agree.

Not only was I not made up, but I had just finished a weekend of apartment construction and I had spackle in my hair! Probably not the best time to try a wedding dress on haha!

@sillygoat: Thank you for your feedback! I am seeing what you mean about the shoes. The veil is a little tricky for me… it’s my mother’s and while I don’t HAVE to wear it I would like to. But yeah – it makes me look like I’m getting my first communion! Yikes! And the posture… it might actually be the shoes. I noticed I had a really hard time standing up straight in them. I typically have ace posture, to the point where coworkers tease me about how straight I sit at my desk.

@MrsChristopher: Thank you! I see what you mean about the shoes, too! I just tunnel visioned myself into loving them.

@ImaStarr: Thank you! I think maybe I should only try on my dress in good moods, new rule hahaha

@Astra: Headbands make me look like Nancy Drew, but maybe a different veil is a good idea. I had thought about birdcage veils (and even FI thought I’d be wearing one) but that’s my mom’s veil and I hoped it would work… I don’t think it really does.

@AnaA: Thank you very much! I also like the shoes but I think I didn’t want to admit they weren’t good shoes for a wedding… maybe another event, but they are kind of distracting with this dress – oh well!

I think I might be on the prowl for new shoes and possibly a new veil, which are both fine with me. I like that better than a new dress! Think I’ll start with light-colored higher heels and a birdcage veil… we’ll see how that goes.

My fiance just got his wedding band in the mail, that helped me feel a bit better about things tonight. 🙂 He looks good in it, if that’s a thing someone can actually say.

Just going to echo what the other brides have already said.The dress is beautiful and looks fantastic on you!!!

However, since the dress is already not exactly bridal, when you add shoes that look even less bridal than the dress….you get a costume or the feeling that you are just going out to a fancy dinner or something. Is there a reason you chose black shoes? There are plenty of gooorgeous shoes that keep the vintage feel and that might suit the dress a little better.

And I also agree with an earlier bee about the veil. That veil is a little too traditional for the dress. You definitely need something with a little more spunk or avoid a veil altogether and go with an awesome headband or comb.

LOVE the second pic. Def keep the high heels, maybe go with a nude color? But high works best for that style dress, so flattering! I don’t like the veil in the first pic, the materials clash. Have you considered a birdcage?

@CakeyP: I really like the dress! I agree with what everyone else is saying about the shoes. I think something in a neutral or white colour that are more open (like a slingback or pumps) and higher would look really beautiful 🙂

Whenever I ask DH if an outfit looks alright, he says “yeah, just don’t look miserable.” Your body language does not look happy in the top pics.

I like it with the petticoat, personally, but I think the shoes need to be changed out. You can wear those shoes again, some other time, but I think you need shoes like in the bottom pic. And are you wearing the best bra you can find in the top pics? It looks like you’re wearing a better one in the bottom pic, but it could be your posture, too. Good bra + good posture could fix your waist issue before you even talk to a seamstress, which is never out of the question.

It’s a gorgeous dress that looks great on you. Don’t second guess yourself so much.

@rosie.jonesy.9: They’re teal shoes, but they are a LOT darker than what I was going for. I think you’re right about the not-very-bridal accessories, it’s not helping at all! I am not a person who knows how to dress myself hahaha

I have always liked the lace shoes you linked to from Modcloth, I might take a closer look at those for wedding shoes!

@JrzyGurl: Thank you! I agree, the veil is way too lacey for the dress – it is a gorgeous veil, just won’t work for me! I am going to either look at birdcage veils or else just a really nice hair clip (I am not convinced that I’m a veil person, and I won’t feel like I missed out if I skip it)

@joanne150406: Yeah, the T-strap isn’t working for me, I agree! And a lighter colored shoe will really help to balance things out. Thank you!

@CakeyP: After reading your response and the veil having sentimental value i would suggest wearing the veil maybe only for the ceremony and getting a blusher/birdcage for the rest of the wedding.

I agree with the shoes too. They are cutting you off at the ankle. When you get new shoes get a little higher heel and nothing that crosses the front. I learnt recently its a difficult style to wear especially with shorter dresses!

Good luck 🙂

Whoops forgot to mention that the dress looks really lovely on you! I love the style and the waist looks great in the other photo. I also prefer it without the petticoat! But you look beautiful!